Massage Therapist Salary in Durham, NC: $64,859 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Durham, NC earns a median $64,859/year (≈ $31.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $66,473 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the estimated massage therapist salary in Durham, NC reaches $64,859, marking a competitive figure in comparison to the national median of $61,975. The salary range in this area varies significantly, with the lowest earning approximately $33,251, while the highest may command around $103,157. This data stems from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for the 2026 market, and reflects a growing demand for skilled practitioners in the region. The job market for massage therapists is diverse, featuring opportunities across various sectors, including franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, independent practices, and self-employed options, all of which contribute to the salary gradient observed in Durham.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,251 | $15.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,210 | $27.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,859 | $31.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,410 | $48.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,157 | $49.59 |
Median Salary Position
4.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,906 (2026 est.). At $64,859, the local median is 4.65% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durham Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Durham median: $64,859/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $61,975 | +4.65% more |
Massage Therapists in Durham, NC earn a median of $64,859 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.65% higher than the national median of $61,975.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $64,859 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,473 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,830
2025 BLS Actual
$61,170
2026 Current Est.
$64,859
2019–2027 Growth
+72.7%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,859 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,770 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 53.6% from $39,830 (2019) to $61,170 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,770 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,940 (72.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.03% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $33,251 – $58,210 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,210 – $64,859 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,859 – $100,410 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,410 – $103,157 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Durham
The local employment of around 130 massage therapists indicates robust demand amidst a cost-of-living index of 97.572, suggesting that therapists may experience greater purchasing power relative to more expensive areas. Among the employers, high-end spas tend to offer better compensation compared to franchises or lower-tier establishments. This pay disparity is influenced by various factors: self-employed therapists often enjoy more significant earnings, especially when they specialize in niches like sports or prenatal therapy, which commands premium pricing. Tipping at spas can significantly enhance earnings as well, typically amounting to an additional 15-25% of session fees. To maximize massage therapist pay in Durham NC, networking, developing specialty skills, and considering self-employed opportunities may yield the most financial benefit in a competitive and evolving market.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Jordan Lee, LMT
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in massage therapy. They specialize in sports massage. They work in a wellness center.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,170 for massage therapistsin the Durham metropolitan area. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.03%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for massage therapists (SOC 31-9011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, LMT, a licensed massage therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov